2025 Caregiver of the Year:
Jessi Morris
Life Care Center of Jefferson City
Jessi Morris, an LPN at Life Care Center of Jefferson City, was named THCA’s 2025 Caregiver of the Year in a ceremony at her facility on Friday, Nov. 14.
THCA Executive Director Jesse Samples made the presentation to Morris, who has worked at the facility for 18 years. Morris won a trophy and a $2,500 cash prize from THCA.
In 1999, members of THCA developed Nursing Home Caregiver Appreciation Day and the Caregiver of the Year award as a way to recognize and pay tribute to selfless individuals who have devoted their careers to improving the lives of those whose conditions require round-the-clock attention in a state-licensed nursing facility. The Caregiver of the Year program includes the recognition of honorees in each of THCA’s six districts: Memphis, Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and East Tennessee. From the pool of six district honorees, THCA’s Public Relations Committee selected Morris as the statewide Caregiver of the Year.
Additional 2025 District Caregivers of the Year
Memphis District
Machelle Calaway
Graceland Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Jackson District
Tamekia White
Christian Care Center of Medina
Nashville District
Jamie Thompson
Celina Health and Rehabilitation
Chattanooga District
Pat Hape
Signature HealthCARE of Cleveland
East Tennessee District
Melissa Crouch
Signature HealthCARE of Greeneville
THCA/TNCAL’s Convention & Trade Show is the association’s signature event of the year, a time when Tennessee’s long-term care professionals can come together for education, networking, and a true sense of community. This year, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges unlike any our industry has seen before. THCA’s Board of Directors and staff have been considering the feasibility of holding a major event amid social distancing recommendations, restrictions on large gatherings, and the particular dangers of the virus to the elderly population.